Belmont Shore Stroll & Savor
5:30 pm – 9:00 pm, August 14-15
Along 2nd Street, Belmont Shore
http://www.belmontshore.org/events.html
This “Taste of Belmont Shore” occurs during the summer months annually from May through August on the third Wednesday and the Thursday immediately after. Attendees may purchase booklets of 12 tickets for $10, and redeem these tickets for food & drink samples from various restaurants along 2nd Street. Buy tickets presale now at Olives Gourmet, La Strada, We Olive, Mail Boxes etc. & Sweet Jill’s, or purchase tickets in front of CHASE BANK during the event.
Taste of Downtown Disney
5:30 pm – 10:00 pm, August 15
Downtown Disney, Anaheim
http://choc.convio.net/site/Calendar?id=100061&view=Detail
Relax in Downtown Disney as servers bring the food and drinks to you at this Taste of Downtown Disney. Also enjoy the best in local entertainment that only Downtown Disney can provide a venue for. Admission varies depending on the package, with general admission costing $75.
Costa Mesa Restaurant Week
August 16-23
Various locations, Costa Mesa
http://www.travelcostamesa.com/costa-mesa-restaurant-week/
The annual Costa Mesa Restaurant Week returns! Numerous restaurants in Costa Mesa will feature special prix fixe meals or other discounted items during this time. Many of these restaurants have amazing food, so I encourage you to check out at least one of the restaurants during this week.
2nd Annual Ribs, Pigs, & Watermelons – Beer Festival & Pro BBQ Competition
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, August 16
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, August 17
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, August 18
Huntington Beach State Beach, Huntington Beach
http://www.rpwbbq.com/
Indulge in BBQ, pork, watermelons, and beer this weekend in Huntington Beach. Grill masters from across the country will fly in to compete for the grand prize of $10,000, and attendees will share the delight to sampling all the delicious meaty goodness. Attendees will also find all the watermelon they can eat, as well as watermelon-related activities such as carving, seed-spitting, eating contests, and more. Also catch live music all weekend on the stage. General admission valid for all three days cost $10, $5 for children ages 8-12, and free for younger children. General admission only grants entry to the festival – all attendees must pay for food separately.
52nd Annual Watermelon Festival
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, August 16
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, August 17-18
Rose Bowl, Pasadena
http://lionswatermelonfestival.com/
This annual street fair has moved from the streets to the world famous Rose Bowl! Get all the watermelon you can eat this weekend at the Watermelon Festival in Pasadena. This fair will also have other food, drinks, live music, entertainment, a beer garden, rides, games, vendors, and anything else you may find at a fair. Admission to this festival costs $10, while children 12 and under can enter for $5. Check the website for a printable coupon to save 30% off admission!
2013 Long Beach BBQ Festival
5:00 pm – 11:00 pm, August 16
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm, August 17
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, August 18
Rainbow Lagoon Park, Long Beach
http://www.longbeachbbqfestival.com/
The Orange County BBQ Bonanza has relocated to Long Beach for the first annual Long Beach BBQ Festival. This all-ages weekend festival brings together the best of the nation’s grill masters to serve the masses and compete for the best BBQ of the west. Entry costs $15, which does not include food, which attendees must pay for separately. Admission with a pork ribs meal costs $28. This festival also boasts an all-you-can-eat package for $225 – check the website for more details about that package. You can also find a coupon on their website good for $2 off entry. This festival takes place entirely outdoors with limited shade, so apply sunscreen, and stay hydrated during the day. Nearby parking lots charge up to $10 for parking – consider parking in the neighborhood east of Alamitos Avenue and walking from there.
The Angry Samoans in Malibu
8:00 pm – 2:00 am, August 16
The Malibu Inn, Malibu
http://www.indieonthewestside.com/
Catch old school punk band Angry Samoans in Malibu this Friday night, along with five other bands including Bad Samaritans. Tickets to this 18+ show cost $10.
5k Foam Fest – Los Angeles
7:00 am – 1:00 pm, August 17
Fairplex, Pomona
http://5kfoamfest.com/Location/Index/18
In this installment of non-traditional 5k races, the Foam Fest now pits runners in a 5k obstacle course complete with lots of dirt and mud, followed by foam, water, suds, and soap. Actual obstacles may include wall climbs, army crawls, slides, balance platforms, and more. Registration for this wacky race costs $70 online and $80 on the day of the event, if any spots remain. Children ages 9 and under may not participate in the race. Wear old clothes that you do not mind getting dirty, yet comfortable enough to run in. Bring towels and spare clothes for the ride home following the race. Parking costs $10 per vehicle, so consider carpooling.
13th Annual Uptown Whittier Car Show
9:00 am – 4:00 pm, August 17
Greenleaf Avenue, Uptown Whittier
http://whittieruptown.org/wua/?page_id=2555
See hundreds of classic cars all for FREE at this all-ages car show on the streets of Uptown Whittier this Saturday. All of the businesses in Uptown Whittier will remain open under regular business hours. Interested visitors should park in the neighborhoods north of Hadley Street.
Stone Brewing’s 17th Anniversary Celebration
11:00 am – 6:00 pm, August 17
Cal State San Marcos, San Marcos
http://www.stonebrewing.com/anniv/
Nobody throws a beer festival quite like one of the nation’s largest breweries! Featuring two sessions of beer drinking for the thousands of fans out there, Stone Brewing will once again return to the beautiful campus of Cal State San Marcos for this mega gala of epic proportions. With multiple levels containing many different beers and food, a three-hour session may not provide enough time to check out everything! Admission costs $40 per session, which run from 11am-2pm or 3pm-6pm. All attendees receive a souvenir glass, fifteen 3oz beer tasters, free sodas, free beer cheese, and access to other great Stone goodies, such as beer desserts.
2013 Los Angeles Taco Festival
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, August 17
Mariachi Plaza Station, Boyle Heights
http://www.latacofestival.com/
Check out the best in local tacos and local mariachi music this Saturday in Boyle Heights. This festival bears no admission fee – visitors simply pay for tacos as they order them.
5th Annual BuskerFest
5:00 pm – 11:00 pm, August 17
East Village Arts District, Long Beach
http://summerandmusic.com/event/buskerfest/
BuskerFest returns to Long Beach this Saturday. Like the Long Beach Funk Fest, various bands will perform on buskers in the East Village Arts Districts, with the headliners playing on the main stage. Free to attend for all ages, fans of music will surely want to come here. For long-term parking, search for street parking in neighborhoods to the east or north.
Chinatown Summer Nights
5:00 pm – 12:00 am, August 17
Chinatown, Downtown Los Angeles
http://chinatownsummernights.com/
Have a fun time this summer at Chinatown in Downtown Los Angeles. Free to attend for all ages, this nighttime festival brings together food, music, art, and beer in a multicultural setting. Expect to see food trucks, merchandise, arts & crafts, live music, live DJ’s, a dance floor, a beer garden hosted by Eagle Rock Brewery, and more. Guests can find free street parking on Spring St and the side streets connected to Spring, including College St.
Screeching Weasel, The Dwarves, Angry Samoans, & The Bugs @ The Observatory
8:00 pm – 2:00 am, August 17
The Observatory, Santa Ana
http://www.observatoryoc.com/events/screeching-weasel
Punk rock returns to The Observatory this Saturday night. Tickets to this all-ages show cost $25. Arrive early for free parking in their lot. Arrive late, and potentially pay a neighboring lot to park in.
Atomic Bombs in La Habra
9:00 pm – 2:00 am, August 17
La Habra 300 Bowl, La Habra
http://www.facebook.com/events/568404229869918/
Check out some local punk rock bands playing for FREE at this all-ages show this Saturday night in La Habra.
Dirty Little Secrets Rock Burlesque – Rock ‘N Roll Reunion
9:30 pm – 12:00 am, August 18
TRiP, Santa Monica
http://www.facebook.com/events/1410065182538193/
See some of the former member of the Dirty Little Secrets perform with the current lineup this Sunday night in Santa Monica. Bring cash for parking and a possible cover charge. No one under 21 may attend.
A Punk, A Camera, and An Empty Stomach 